Chinese Ambassador Awards Scholarships to Sri Lankan Students, Pledges Continued Educational Support

In a ceremony held at Keppitipola Maha Vidyalaya, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Qi Zhenhong, awarded the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship to local students, underscoring China’s continued commitment to supporting education in Sri Lanka. Addressing students, teachers, and dignitaries, including Mr. G. M. R. D. Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and an alumnus of the school, Ambassador Qi expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received during his last visit and emphasized his dedication to helping Sri Lankan youth achieve their aspirations.

Ambassador Qi highlighted the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship, initiated in 2016, which has since supported thousands of students across 20 schools. Plans are underway to expand the scholarship’s reach, with a goal to benefit even more students and schools. “Educational exchange and cooperation are vital parts of the friendly interactions between our two peoples,” he said.

In addition to scholarships, the Chinese government has provided substantial assistance to Sri Lankan education. Notably, since 1975, China has offered full and short-term scholarships to Sri Lankan students, with recent numbers exceeding 1,000 beneficiaries annually. Ambassador Qi also recalled China’s donation of 10,000 tons of rice in 2022, providing school meals to 1.1 million students in the wake of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis. Further contributions in 2023 and 2024 included fabric donations for school uniforms, with China set to supply 100% of the fabric for the 2025 academic year.

Moreover, the Ambassador announced that China plans to build 900 smart classrooms across 500 schools, aimed at benefiting over 1 million students. This project reflects China’s long-term commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure in Sri Lanka, particularly in remote areas.

Ambassador Qi noted the resilience of Sri Lankan youth, encouraging them to embody the spirit of national hero Keppitipola and work toward a prosperous future. He acknowledged recent flood relief efforts, with China providing over 450 million rupees in aid and materials to assist affected families.

The Ambassador concluded with a message of solidarity, affirming China’s support for Sri Lanka’s progress under its new leadership. He expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s future, urging students to study diligently and contribute to the nation’s prosperity and to the longstanding friendship between China and Sri Lanka.